GREAT FALLS — Great Falls College will honor 287 graduates during its 2026 commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena, celebrating student achievement, academic excellence and a couple of major firsts for the college. The day begins with the Eagle Feather Ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by commencement at 2 p.m.
Jessica Bray, a nursing alum, will serve as keynote speaker, sharing her family’s story of resilience and the movement created in memory of her daughter, Kaelyn. The Bray family also will announce the recipient of the first Kaelyn Serene Bray Memorial Scholarship during the ceremony.
This year marks two historic milestones for Great Falls College: the graduation of the first Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science class and the first Veterinary Technician Associate of Applied Science class. Both programs were launched to meet critical workforce needs across Montana and have quickly become high‑demand pathways for students.
Graduates will receive a total of 362 certificates and degrees, with many students completing multiple credentials. The class also includes 26 dual enrolled high school students earning their certificates or degrees before receiving their high school diplomas, including five students completing full two‑year associate degrees.
Academic achievement will be recognized throughout the ceremony. Forty‑one graduates have earned honors with GPAs between 3.5 and 3.74, and 72 graduates have earned high honors with GPAs of 3.75 or higher.
“Commencement is a powerful reminder of the determination our students bring to their education,” said Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO and dean of Great Falls College, who will be presiding over her fifth commencement with the college before she retires in July. “We are especially proud to celebrate the first graduates of our Early Childhood Education and Veterinary Technician programs. These students are stepping directly into fields where Montana needs them most.”
The ceremony is open to the public, and family, friends and community members are invited to attend.
Contact:
Scott Thompson, Great Falls College marketing and communications director, 406-771-4314, [email protected]